Modest, CA. - Clutch power downed the Nuts in a 7-4 loss to the Quakes on Sunday afternoon at John Thurman Field.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Nuts (2-9) took a one-run lead by pushing across three runs. David Kandilas brought in one tally with a sac fly. With the bases loaded and two outs, Trevor Story blooped a fly ball to right field. Jeremy Rathjen misjudged the ball, forcing himself into a fruitless dive that allowed two runs to score. After recovering, he threw Jose Rivera out at the plate to end the inning.

Rathjen came to the plate in the top of the fifth and ended Nuts' starter Ben Alsup's (L, 0-1) day by driving a two-run blast over the left-field fence to give the Quakes (5-6) the lead for good. Alsup finished after 4+ innings in which he gave up five runs accompanied by five walks and four strikeouts.

Chris Anderson started for the Quakes and made it through just 3.1 innings of work while striking out four but giving up five walks and four runs. Robert Rogers (W, 1-0) tossed 2.1 innings and did not give up a run while allowing just two hits. Owen Jones (S, 2) worked a perfect ninth inning to secure the series split.

The season-opening homestand continues with the Visalia Rawhide coming to town for a three-game series beginning at 7:05 p.m. on Monday night. Righty Ryan Gibbard will toss for the Nuts. The Rawhide will have right-hander Brandon Sinnery throwing. Coverage on ModestoNuts.com will start at 7:00 p.m. To tune in on your iPhone or iPad listen live here. For PC and Flash enabled Android phones listen live here.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.